The Real Daughter Just Wants to Pilot Mechas - Chapter 152

“Are you going to wear it?” Lu Feng tilted his head to look at Jiang Momo’s profile and asked.

Internally, Lu Feng was amazed by how sharp Jiang Momo was. He hadn’t revealed a single detail in the message he sent her, yet she’d already guessed what they were up to. Incredible! He had even spent time preparing a whole speech to persuade her but clearly, that was unnecessary now.

Jiang Momo didn’t react right away. “What?”

Only after asking did she remember the topic they’d been discussing just moments ago. She didn’t have time to fully process Little Eight’s odd reaction and quickly prepared to explain.

Before she could respond, Lu Feng added, “I have a formal military uniform that will fit you. You can change into it in a bit.”

Jiang Momo let out a dry laugh. “Thanks.”

Little Eight had already clearly rejected the idea of seeing the streamer it liked in a military uniform. But since she had already asked Lu Feng for the uniform, it would be awkward to backtrack now. She had no choice but to accept.

***

At midnight, several warships launched from above the First Military District’s base and sped into space.

Wearing a slightly ornate military uniform, Jiang Momo sat unusually straight on the main sofa and glanced at Lu Feng who also sat upright across from her. Her head was full of question marks. “We’re not on the same ship as them?”

Just the two of them in a massive warship? What a waste! Didn’t Lu Feng say she was participating in the test too? Wouldn’t it be more efficient to ride together?

“Their ship is at full capacity,” Lu Feng explained. “We’re headed to the front-line battlefield at the edge of the Border Star System. Long-distance transport like this can’t be overloaded.”

Jiang Momo’s scattered thoughts immediately shifted focus. “You’re bringing these regular people straight to the battlefield?”

“There’s a stationed garrison on the border planet. Their safety won’t be an issue,” Lu Feng replied.

Jiang Momo leaned forward. “What about their mental state?”

From the documentaries she’d seen after arriving on the Capital Star, most people couldn’t handle facing the alien beasts for the first time. Tossing them straight into battle was too unpredictable and might ruin the effectiveness of the livestream.

“The participants were chosen after a thorough evaluation of their psychological resilience,” Lu Feng responded calmly.

Jiang Momo frowned and said nothing more.

“We’ll reach the border planet around 9 AM tomorrow.” Lu Feng checked the time. “You can get some rest. I’ll wake you when we arrive.”

Jiang Momo: “???”

“Sleep? Then what was the point of me changing into this now?” She looked down at the military uniform that felt like it was propping her up. Then another thought struck her. “Doesn’t this warship have spatial jump tech? Why is it taking so long?”

“The livestream starts at nine in the morning. More people will be watching then,” Lu Feng said.

Jiang Momo grudgingly accepted. “Fine.”

***

It was six in the morning.

Before disembarking, Jia Zhi grabbed his livestream gear from a nearby soldier and excitedly powered it on. But as the warship doors opened, he was instantly blinded by the swirling sand outside. He hurriedly jumped into the mecha cockpit that was equipped with the live broadcast equipment.

The comm system buzzed to life.

[Welcome to the northern zone of the border planet. The live combat test is about to begin. If you find yourself unable to continue, please immediately signal a nearby soldier for assistance.]

That was the message Jia Zhi’s fans heard when they flooded into his livestream room and then, after the sand cleared, there was a collective moment of stunned silence. The chat froze for five or six seconds.

“What is this?!” Jia Zhi stared at the wave of alien beasts surging toward him like a tsunami. His legs immediately went weak and he launched into the air with the thrusters, only to collide head-on with a patrolling group of flying alien beasts.

[This is bad, this is really bad! Why do the alien beasts feel so much more oppressive in this perspective?]

[I believe those rumors about the Federation falling now. I’m watching through a simulation pod in first-person and these alien beasts are way bigger than anything I’ve seen in other streams!]

[Don’t chicken out, streamer! Aren’t you using a legendary mecha?! Just charge!]

[Easy for you to say. These are real alien beasts, not virtual ones. The military is way too optimistic about their abilities. Is this even reasonable?!]

[AAAAAAAH! They’re charging!!!!]

…

[Huh? Nothing happened? He’s okay?!]

[The people next to the streamer are fine too! Is this the legendary mecha? It seems even stronger than in previous livestreams!]

Jia Zhi opened his eyes just in time to see the alien beast that had just lunged at him drop like a rock the moment it ‘touched’ him. He slowly lowered the arm he had instinctively raised in front of his face and muttered, “I made a mistake. I should’ve shielded the cockpit instead.”

Then he glanced at the fast-scrolling and clearly hyped-up chat and tentatively flew back into the alien beast swarm.

***

By the time Jiang Momo arrived above the border planet at 9 AM, the test was already over. Jia Zhi and a group of other testers were lying around on the ground in various awkward poses, surrounded by armed guards and the bodies of alien beasts.

“Why is everyone lying down the moment I arrive?” Jiang Momo didn’t sense any gravity anomalies. She turned to look at Lu Feng, only to see him standing sideways, giving quiet instructions to his adjutant.

In the noise, Jiang Momo caught words like ‘livestream’ and ‘now.’ When she turned back, she found several cameras pointed straight at her.

While she was still confused, Lu Feng gently placed a hand on her shoulder and nudged her forward, speaking directly into the camera.

“Good morning, everyone. I’m Lu Feng, Lieutenant General of the First Military District. I believe after watching the recent livestream featuring well-known streamers and dedicated citizens from all walks of life, you now have a brand new understanding of the capabilities of legendary mechas…”

As Lu Feng went on and on beside her, Jiang Momo’s confused expression gradually cleared.

She got it now. The participants had arrived early and the test was already done! She didn’t need to do anything!

Relieved, Jiang Momo quietly took half a step back, trying to sneak out of the frame, only to be stopped again by Lu Feng’s hand on her shoulder.

“Standing next to me is the developer behind the legendary mecha replicas, Jiang Momo. She’s also the creator of the super S-grade mecha and the producer of the combat simulation system. In short, no one in the Federation understands legendary mecha better than she does.

“Due to the recent public panic, she proposed this live test. The goals were threefold: to demonstrate the ease of operation and superior performance of legendary mechas; to dispel rumors and ease the tension; and to further expand our military strength.

“Yes, this test was just the beginning. Based on the average scores, we’ll be recruiting a new batch of talent directly into the military. Those who pass will be awarded the rank of second lieutenant. Now, let’s welcome Comrade Jiang Momo to explain the legendary mecha.”

Jiang Momo: “?”

Wait, why didn’t anyone tell her she’d be giving a speech?!